Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the service engine indicator remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) months later. The contact exited the vehicle, upon receiving notification of the recall, and smoke appeared in the engine compartment. A firefighter extinguished the flames and provided an inspection report of the failure. A fire report was not filed. The manufacturer stated that they would open a claim in three business days to further investigate how the failure occurred. The vehicle was parked at the contact's residence because it was damagad excessively due to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Grand Prix. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that oil was dripping onto the exhaust manifold. As a result, the wiring harness, brake lines, and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the contact's vehicle was parked at a fuel station, she was informed that smoke was coming from the vehicle. The contact moved the vehicle away from the fuel pumps. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that someone attempted to open the hood and noticed flames inside the engine compartment. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The police was at the scene, but no report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed and was deemed destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light illuminated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries, but required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to the police department, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the temperature gauge increased and the vehicle started to overheat. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and there was a fire coming from under the hood. The contact and the passenger were able to exit the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V710000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000. Updated 05/24/16 updated 05/11/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). While driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal odor and smoke entered the vehicle from underneath the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked. The fire was extinguished by the contact. A police report was not filed. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The contact researched the VIN online and found NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the vehicle was parked, smoke emitted under the hood and caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. While in park, the contact noticed flames in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling ). The failure mileage was 200,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Engine and engine cooling
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 Buick regal, my 1998-2003 Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 Oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 Pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling
GM is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 Buick regal and Pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark…
Engine complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 44% of the model year's 106 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); NHTSA recall 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2009); NHTSA recall 08V-118 (engine and engine cooling, Mar 12, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 30 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.